Winning the South Coast Conference crown was not what Russ Keeler expected to happen this season.

After finishing 7-11 last year, the coach of the Old Rochester Regional boys tennis team had his fingers crossed for a “good season.”

But winning 11 matches in a row, with a current season record of 15-3, far exceeded Keeler’s expectations.

“I thought we’d be competitive,but I didn’t think we’d win,” Keeler said of the SCC championship. “It’s been a magical season.”

The team is a mix of freshmen and veteran players.

“The older kids are really setting the tone and showing the younger kids what it takes to succeed,” said the coach.

Alex Bilodeau, a freshmen, has been the No. 1 player on the team and played in every match this year.

His 13 wins and 5 losses “are excellent considering he’s playing the best player from all the other teams,” said Keeler, who is looking forward to three more years with Bilodeau.

Senior Alden Truesdale took the second spot on the team and won 10 of his 13 matches.

“The top two positions, they really led the way for the team,” Keeler said.

Top doubles team senior Connor Blagden and junior Stephen Burke secured some important wins for the team, and once Keeler realized the potential of the senior-freshman pair, Doug Blaise and Maxx Wolski, he said they proved to be a strong duo.

“One of the things that makes us strong is that we have a lot of competition for the team,” said Keeler.

That competitive nature got the team the South Coast Conference win on May 20, and next the team will participate in the South Division 3 Tournament. Keeler said the Bulldogs will face stronger teams.

“We will just keep playing until we get beaten,” Keeler said.

Next spring, the team will be down three “battle hardened” seniors, but Keeler is expecting another strong freshmen class.

“The future is very bright,” he said.